15 Free Accounting Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in accounting, accounting programs offer a great opportunity to explore various career paths in the field.
What are free accounting programs for high school students?
These programs provide learning through visits to accounting firms, training in accounting skills and tools, and also offer support for the college application process, along with access to professional development workshops. Many institutes and universities offer free programs, or ones that offer a full scholarship, that allow you to explore college accounting curriculum, offer mentorship support, and network with industry professionals.
Why pursue free accounting programs for high school students?
You will gain access to professional networking opportunities and practice what you've learnt by participating in case competitions and work experiences. By participating in these programs, you can attain skills that can be useful for building your own ventures.
If you’re also looking for accounting research programs, check here, or go here for accounting internship opportunities.
To help you choose, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top 15 Free Accounting Programs for High School Students.
15 Free Accounting Programs for High School Students
1. NABA Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)
Location: Week-long summer residency at college and university campuses across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: One-week summer residency (dates vary by chapter annually)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school students (freshmen through seniors) interested in accounting, finance, business, entrepreneurship; often prioritised for underrepresented students
The Accounting Career Awareness Program is a week-long residency program for students interested in exploring accounting. You’ll explore the intersection of accounting, business, economics, and finance through an intensive curriculum taught by college faculty and industry professionals. You’ll also gain insight into what it’s like to study accounting in college, experience life at a college campus, and explore the various career pathways you can choose through accounting.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid
Program Dates: Varies by the cohort
Application Deadline: There are three application deadlines to choose from; more details are available in the brochure
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs for students who want to build something real from the ground up. In this investment competition for high school students, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up or even a non-profit that addresses a real problem, giving you a firsthand experience of entrepreneurship beyond the classroom. Along the way, you'll be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X, who will share insights into how successful ventures are built. The program combines real-world startup development with interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, as well as workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions to sharpen your entrepreneurial thinking. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. McCombs Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC)
Location: McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition, meals, housing covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21 – June 28
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high-school sophomores and juniors
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin offers a 6-day program where you’ll be introduced to various opportunities in accounting. At the program, you’ll practice fundamental accounting concepts through a case competition, gain mentorship from current accounting students, and explore a college-level accounting curriculum. You’ll learn from the experiences of accounting faculty and guest speakers through lectures and seminars. The program also includes professional networking opportunities where you can seek guidance from industry professionals.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Acceptance rate is around 10%
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program for motivated high school students who want real experience, not just resume padding. You’ll be matched with a high-growth startup and work on real-world projects in fields such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting, giving you a clear view of how innovative companies operate day to day. The internship runs for about 8 weeks and typically requires a commitment of 5–10 hours per week, making it manageable alongside school. You’ll work closely with your startup manager and a Ladder Coach, and present your work to the company at the end of the program. Along the way, you'll also receive one-on-one training in skills such as communication and time management, plus take part in group sessions with other interns.
5. Morgan State University Summer Accounting Academy
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High-school juniors and seniors interested in accounting
The Summer Accounting Academy offers an overview of accounting and an exploration of its career pathways for interested high school students. During the program, you’ll gain insight into college accounting, receive instruction on various accounting concepts, and learn tools like Excel. The program includes learning through case study presentations, team activities, and field trips to accounting firms and business institutions. You’ll also learn from industry professionals' experiences working in various accounting fields, including corporate, public, and governmental accounting.
6. Temple Accounting Institute
Location: Fox School of Business, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based (amount not specified); a fully funded scholarship is available for students living in Philadelphia and attending a public or charter school
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two-week summer sessions (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school sophomores and juniors
Temple University offers the Accounting Institute as an introductory program for high school students interested in accounting. During the program, you’ll explore fundamental accounting concepts through case competitions, technology training, and experiential learning activities. You’ll have the opportunity to explore various pathways in accounting through networking opportunities with accounting professionals and receiving mentorship from current accounting students. The program also includes field trips to corporate offices where you can explore various roles within accounting.
7. NYSSCPA High School Outreach
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Applications open year-round
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school students
The New York State Society of CPAs offers a high school outreach program where high school students interested in accounting can receive the mentorship of professionals from the accounting industry. During your mentorship session, you will have the opportunity to learn about various concepts, explore pathways in accounting, or receive guidance for mapping out your own academic trajectory. You will talk one-on-one with your mentor, which gives you a personalised experience and allows you to seek guidance on specific doubts that you have. You can discuss topics such as public accounting, forensic accounting, tax and financial planning, information technology and consulting, industry and business, and education.
8. Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) Residency Week
Location: University of Washington Foster School of Business, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free (housing, food, activities included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 20 – July 25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Seattle Accounting Career Awareness Program is a youth development program for underrepresented students interested in accounting and business fields. The Residency Week offers an introduction to the accounting profession in an interactive format through events, field trips to accounting firms, and local businesses. It will include activities such as case competitions, mock interview practice, resume building, seminars, professional development workshops, and training in data management and analysis. You'll also access professional networking opportunities and be paired with a mentor from the accounting field.
9. Accounting Coach Accounting and Bookkeeping Course
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free (with optional paid upgrades)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all, including high school students
Accounting Coach offers a comprehensive accounting program where you can explore various topics in a structured format. You will be able to explore topics such as bookkeeping, financial accounting, balance sheet, income statement, financial ratios, accounts payable, depreciation, improving profit, stockholders' equity, and more. The course offers instruction through lectures, reading material, and practice quizzes.
10. Miami Accounting Program
Location: Miami University Farmer School of Business, Oxford, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Typically in the summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Miami Accounting Program is an introductory accounting course for high school students interested in exploring accounting. The program will help you explore various career pathways in accounting by networking with accounting professionals, participating in collaborative activities, and working on your professional skill sets. You will participate in workshops, gain an overview of accounting practices, and network with professionals from Big Four accounting firms. The program also offers guidance on the college application process, and mentors will help guide you in mapping out a long-term career plan.
11. Southern Missouri State University Accounting Summer Camp
Location: Southeast Missouri State University main campus, Cape Girardeau, MO
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: June 13
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Southeast Missouri State University offers the Accounting Summer Camp as an introductory program for high school students interested in exploring accounting. You will explore various accounting concepts and exercise critical thinking skills through interactive activities such as cracking financial puzzles, exploring forensic accounting mysteries, and taking part in quizzes. You will also have the opportunity to seek guidance from accounting industry professionals and current accounting students who will share their experiences and help you gain insight into the field.
12. University of Nebraska Accounting Adventures
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Business Administration, Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Five-day summer immersive camp (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high-school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The University of Nebraska offers the Accounting Adventures Camp for high school students interested in exploring accounting. You will gain hands-on exposure to accounting within a college setting. You will explore various opportunities in accounting, technological advancements in the fields, and the role of accounting in fields such as business. The camp also includes professional networking opportunities where you can seek the guidance of accounting industry leaders and learn from their experiences.
13. Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP)
Location: Multiple college campuses across NY (Niagara, Ithaca, Rochester, Buffalo, Garden City, Loudonville, Valhalla, Queens, Staten Island)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by session, but typically happen between May and July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school juniors and seniors
The Career Opportunities In The Accounting Profession (COAP) offers various programs that help you explore pathways in the accounting field. You'll explore diverse roles that use accounting, such as Data Analyst, Forensic Investigator, Chief Financial Officer, Software Developer, Auditor, or Entrepreneur. You will also gain insight into how accounting influences the business world and various other industries. The program is offered at various locations within New York, and you can sign up to apply to the location closest to you.
14. KPMG Career Catalyst Audit Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: High-school students and learners interested in audit and accounting basics
KPMG offers the Career Catalyst Audit Program for high school students looking to explore accounting and auditing through a simulated work experience. You will work on various problem scenarios in accounting, such as inventory accounting and business processes for managing inventory. You’ll learn how to use auditing tools such as Excel to build simple models and manage business data such as cost, revenues, and profitability. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to test your accounting skills by working on these tasks while learning new concepts, working with new tools, and practising new processes.
15. Stebbins Accounting and Finance
Location: Stebbins High School and Career Technology Centre, Dayton, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Academic school year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Enrolled high school students
Stebbins offers a program for high school students to explore the fields of accounting and finance. You will learn about accounting in the context of business practices, learn about financial literacy, taxes, and explore business roles in customer operations and business operations, and customer service. During the program, you will explore key accounting concepts, including financial analysis, analysing banking products, reducing risk in financial service institutions, financial service operations, preparing financial documents, and projecting future income and expenses. In your senior year, you will have the opportunity to gain practical accounting experience by interning at a CPA firm.
Image Source - Morgan Stanley logi